San Pablo: Two men arrested on suspicion of homicide; police seek third suspect

By David DeBolt ddebolt@bayareanewsgroup.com

Posted:
02/26/2014 06:17:49 AM PST

Updated:
02/26/2014 06:17:55 AM PST

SAN PABLO -- Two men have been arrested and police are seeking a third suspect in an alleged drug deal-turned-homicide, authorities said Tuesday.

Police arrested San Pablo resident Hector Paul Nava-Martinez, 20, on Feb. 13 and Richmond resident Richard Contreras Barajas, 24, on Feb. 20 in connection with the shooting death of 19-year-old Franklin Lopez. Both men have been charged with homicide.

Lopez was shot and killed on Feb. 6 in the 2100 block of Dover Avenue after a marijuana deal went bad, said Cmdr. Jeff Palmieri. Lopez was taken to a hospital, where he later died. The homicide was the city's first in 2014.

Police are still searching for a third suspect, 19-year-old Guillermo "Memo" Alexis Alvarez of San Pablo, who is considered armed and dangerous and should not be approached. Anyone who spots Alvarez or has any information on the case is asked to call the San Pablo Police Department Investigations Division at 510-215-3150 or the tip line at 510-779-8255.